TOUR AMERICA, 2020: CONGRESS, ARIZONA – THE GRAND CANYON STATE

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona

May 3, 2020

Temperature 88 Degrees

A Breath of Fresh Air

Projects, Propane Detector

Worship, Colts Neck Reformed Church

We have a plan and a time frame now and it is like a breath of fresh air.  We know when we’ll be leaving and we know where we will be going.  It’s a plan with a lot of flexibility built into in and I believe it will be a lot of fun.  Yes, the open road is definitely calling our names and we can hear it loud and clear.

Yesterday when I tried to install the new propane detector I immediately ran into a problem.

The old detector was considerably larger than the new one.

There was no way I could mount the new one in the preexisting hole.  It would just fall in and that was not good.  What I needed was something to cover the hole and to which I could mount the new detector.  Easy if I still had a home workshop.

What do to?  My friend Ron who lives here and is the moderator for the park’s bulletin board for permanent residents said Post your request on the bulletin board, there are a number of wood workers here who I’m sure would be able to help you.

Eight o’clock this morning I put the request on the bulletin board.  Literally, within minutes I had several residents call to tell me we can help you out.  The people around here are just super.

This is what Kathy cut out for me in her workshop.  I was only looking for a simple piece of plywood.  She insisted on a finished piece of wood saying it would definitely look better.

The finished project.  The wood covers the preexisting hole and the new propane detector is fastened to the cover.  Slick, hey?  Good for another seven years.

Project finished.

It was time to go to church.

This is a picture of the sanctuary which is to the left above and the offices and meeting rooms are in the building to the right.

A picture of the sanctuary inside.  The slips of paper on the pews are the names of individuals who are members of the congregation.

The actual worship service began with gathering music and then three members of the congregation each in their own homes gave the responsive call to worship.

Our first song.  Truthfully, I enjoy to a certain extent worship in the rig.  After all I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord at full voice and not frighten everyone around me.

Our Associate Pastor delivered the Message for Children.

Special Music Here I Am Lord.  Lyrics in part are:

Pastor Scott delivered the morning message from the book of Job.  Yes, we may have questions.  We may be hurting.  We may be asking when will it all end.  Such where the questions also on Job’s mind and heart.  Yet, he never faltered in his faith in God.  And in the end his faith was rewarded.  So let us even now as difficult as it may be walk not by sight but by faith.

Today was also communion Sunday.  With a bit of bread and a glass of juice we participated in the Lord’s Supper with the rest of the congregation.

The rest of the day was sort of a carbon copy of yesterday, and the day before, and the day. . .you get the idea.

We skipped breakfast this morning and went directly to our mid-afternoon supper.  We had meat loaf, mashed potatoes, asparagus and for me a glass of ice coffee.  Once again I proudly became a member of the clean plate club.

We played some more Mexican Train.  Today, after several dismal showings was my day to shine.  It’s not often that I beat Barbara but I managed to prevail today.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We have a new plan in place.  Let me see is it Plan C or Plan D?  I’ve lost count of how many I’ve put together.  We’re excited.  Yet there is also a twinge of sadness.  We’ve come to love this place, and we’ll miss it and the people in the neighborhood.  Overall, the day did not disappoint.  Thank you Lord for keeping us safe, healthy and still in love and enjoying one’s company.

Food for thought.

Thanks for coming along with us today.  It was great having you with us on our journey.  We so appreciate your comments.  Keep safe.  Wear your mask.  If not for you then for others.  Wash your hands.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!